Four Seasons Hotel Doha

Four Seasons Tenure

• Since 2011
• First Four Seasons Position: Sales Manager, Four Seasons Hotel Baku

Employment History

• Four Seasons Resort and Residences at The Pearl-Qatar; The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company; Four Seasons Hotel Baku; Hyatt Hotels Corporation

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree, Finance and Credit (Business Administration), Western University Baku

Birthplace

• Baku, Azerbaijan

Languages Spoken

• Azerbaijani, English, Russian, Turkish

Every hotel has a story to tell, and plotting those of Four Seasons in the capital of Qatar is a real page-turner for Ulviyya Talishinskaya. “Through two decades as the luxury leader, we have continuously evolved with the city, so our focus now is on bringing in new audiences to experience the changing scene,” she says of her dual role as Senior Commercial Director heading sales and marketing for two local Four Seasons addresses. “As Doha transforms itself to attract leisure travellers from all over the world, we’re building on our legacy from the heart of the action.”

The brand’s legacy began in 2005 with Four Seasons Hotel Doha, which introduced the concept of luxury hospitality to Qatar. As the segment grew and then took off as the eyes of the world turned to Doha for the biggest international sporting event of 2022, Four Seasons built on its momentum to play an outsized role in the city’s makeover into a destination for sun, sea, and celebration. That included the addition of Four Seasons Resort and Residences at The Pearl-Qatar, which began welcoming guests in 2023 with Talishinskaya on the opening team.

Among her marketing innovations has been collaborating with artists to trumpet the brand in a language that speaks to a new generation of travellers. The collaborations were launched in 2024 with the incorporation of two large-scale masterworks by acclaimed French artist Sassan Behnam-Bakhtiar at The Pearl-Qatar. The works displayed along the walkway to the Resort’s signature steakhouse Chicago Rare reflect the artist’s exploration of human connection and the natural world, with inspiration drawn from another Four Seasons property in southern France.

“Art is an international language that resonates with everyone, regardless of gender or demographics,” explains Talishinskaya, who notes the marketing campaign will continue through the appointments of Artists-in-Residence. “The message is that people needn’t dress a certain way or be connected to be part of Four Seasons. All they need to do is come in and enjoy.”

College educated in finance in her hometown of Baku, Azerbaijan, Talishinskaya fell into hospitality through an opportunity with an international hotel. When she arrived to start in reception, however, she was surprised to learn she’d been assigned to room service. “I was pretty upset about it but decided to go with it.” As she collected her uniform, a laundry agent told her not to fret because once one gets into it, “hospitality is forever.” He was right. “My time in room service was one of the most enjoyable of my career.”

Later, while working as a sales manager, Talishinskaya had the good fortune to meet the opening General Manager of Four Seasons Hotel Baku. Arranging a meeting, she sought to impress him with her sales experience and knowledge of the market, but he was looking for an executive assistant. “That’s when I told him about my love of singing and that I’d been on Eurovision.” The General Manager was a fan of the uniquely popular continental song competition, and he hired her on the spot.

But for a brief departure, Talishinskaya has been with Four Seasons ever since, including as opening Commercial Director of The Pearl-Qatar. In 2025, her position expanded to cover both Doha properties. She now leads a team of more than 50 engaged in everything commercial, including sales and marketing, but also revenue management, public relations, reservations, events and social media.

She likes to stay close to her team, the better for everyone to learn to work together, she says. “I’ve always been a strong believer in the power of conversation. I never give up on people, so communication is key.”

Talishinskaya is also an early bird who doesn’t know the meaning of the word “busy.” That includes life at home, where she lavishes her children with attention, especially at mealtime. “I work with a lot of chefs, so I have a lot of inspiration,” she says with a laugh of cooking for her family. Her favourite dishes are beef tenderloin with bearnaise and baked potato with crushed parmigiana. “They might not win me Michelin stars, but I haven’t heard any complaints.”